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That One Album, Though…

That one record that not only defines us, but indeed helped us get where we need to be and most likely still does…..especially now more than ever.

It’s that one album that just fucking makes us feel it, man.

And while each of the albums listed below by a beautiful buffet of Philly entertainers is more different than the next, Ms. Madonna said it best…”Music makes the people come together.”

Enough said. Now, listen up.

Andrew Johns/First Class singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and everything else/Now currently taking over the West Coast “It would have to be Silverchair’s Neon Ballroom. It made me listen to albums in a different way. It got me into bands like Radiohead and Nirvana, also making me pursue music as a guitarist and producer. It still sounds as fresh, bold and unlike any other piece of music today..and I wouldn’t be as far along in such a career without it. It was the final spark that lit the flame and keeps on glowing.“

HoneyTree Evil Eye/Philadelphia Burlesque Goddess/Agitated Co-host “I’ll forever be grateful for Janet Jackson’s 1993 Janet. I was really young when it came out but her ability to communicate sensual, fierce, empowered sexuality was palpable to me even then. It’s full of danceable pop hits, including “If,” which remains, to this day, one of the greatest choreography videos of all time.”

Bastion Carboni aka Pilar Salt/Agitated! Co-host/Playwright “Hands down: Santigold’s first album. It has been one of my art-making soundtracks for years and is what I listen to when I get into face. It calms, centers, invigorates, and inspires me and reminds me why I make the art I do. I fucking adore her.“

Doreen Taylor/Dazzling Chanteuse of ‘Happily Ever After’“Besides my own (lol!) mine is Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I don’t think there has ever been an album that has made such an impact on the mainstream pop music industry as that one. Every song was a bona-fide hit, beautifully produced and truly a musical work of art.”

Eric Jaffe/World Ukulele Champion/One-third of Haus of Ham “I’m gonna go with Up From Below by Ed Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. This album is most known for the track, Home, but there are so many gems. This band always takes me to my happy place, and you’re likely to see my lip syncing most of their music down Walnut St on any given day!“

Cyoni Darling/Freeze Diva “Hands down Madonna’s Erotica. It’s my favorite album by her that I can listen to from beginning to end! There simply isn’t a bad song on it! It was ground breaking and breathtaking! She pushed every boundary that she could, sexually! It paved the way for girls like myself to embrace their beauty and sexuality. She was at times so androgynous and other times, so feminine! It was also released two days before her SEX book.. So I’ll leave you with that.. “I’m gonna change your life, I’m like a poison flower” M.

DJ Carl Michaels/Reigning Gayborhood Beat Master “Dragonette Royal Blues – this album is nearly perfect and it dropped at the exact time I needed some joy in my life.”

And as far as my favorite album? Let’s just say that I know now why entertainers I spill music tea with fucking hate when I ask this question being as I can speak for a lot of you music kids when I say that my music mood changes by the second.

But if I had to pick one, it would absolutely be Madonna’s Ray of Light. It makes you think. It makes you feel. It makes you dance. It makes you groove. It helps you make sense of yourself and a world that’s not god damn perfect. It’s everything.

And for one final listening party, let’s hand it over to the hilarious Bev who might have misunderstood the assignment. Maybe she’ll tell you what her favorite album is tomorrow night at 9pm at Tabu for the 3rd anniversary of her big ol’ Bitchfest…

“Happy Thanksgiving Philly! May your 3AM Gobbler Bowl be as great as the meal your mother will have slaved over for hours the next day. I’m thankful for family, good friends, numerous amazing opportunities I’ve been given, and most importantly… A liver that just won’t quit.”